The Los Angeles Dodgers made a roster move Wednesday, reinstating right-hander Roki Sasaki from the 60-day injured list while placing reliever Kirby Yates on the IL with a hamstring issue.
Sasaki Returns From Injury
Sasaki, 23, has not pitched in a major-league game since May 9 due to a shoulder impingement. He recently appeared in seven games (five starts) for the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City, posting a 6.10 ERA with 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings over 20 2/3 innings. Earlier this season in Los Angeles, Sasaki struggled to a 4.72 ERA with 5.8 walks per nine innings across eight starts.
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Manager Dave Roberts told reporters, via MLB.com’s Sonja Chen, that Sasaki will pitch out of the bullpen upon his return. The right-hander’s reinstatement coincides with the corresponding move of Yates to the injured list, marking yet another setback for the struggling pitching staff.
Dodgers Bullpen Under Pressure
The move comes as Los Angeles’ bullpen continues to struggle in September, posting a 5.69 ERA and an MLB-worst 5.6 walks per nine innings. Yates’ hamstring issue further strains the relief corps, which has been a point of concern throughout the month.
Roberts acknowledged the difficulty of managing the pitching staff in a late-season stretch. “We’re trying to balance health and effectiveness,” he said. “Roki coming back gives us some options out of the bullpen, and we’ll monitor Kirby closely as he recovers.”
With the playoffs looming, the Dodgers will need both veteran and younger arms to stabilize a bullpen that has been inconsistent. Sasaki’s return offers a glimmer of hope, but the team will have to navigate Yates’ absence carefully to maintain late-season momentum.